The Expert Consensus on Clinical Application of Qinbaohong Zhike Oral Liquid in Treatment of Acute Bronchitis and Acute Attack of Chronic Bronchitis （GS/CACM 337-2023） was released by the China Association of Chinese Medicine on December 13^th， 2023. This expert consensus was developed by experts in methodology， pharmacy， and Chinese medicine in strict accordance with the development requirements of the China Association of Chinese Medicine （CACM） and based on the latest medical evidence and the clinical medication experience of well-known experts in the fields of respiratory medicine （pulmonary diseases） and pediatrics. This expert consensus defines the application of Qinbaohong Zhike oral liquid in the treatment of cough and excessive sputum caused by phlegm-heat obstructing lung， acute bronchitis， and acute attack of chronic bronchitis from the aspects of applicable populations， efficacy evaluation， usage， dosage， drug combination， and safety. It is expected to guide the rational drug use in medical and health institutions， give full play to the unique value of Qinbaohong Zhike oral liquid， and vigorously promote the inheritance and innovation of Chinese patent medicines.

Metal ion-promoted chemodynamic therapy(CDT) combined with photodynamic therapy(PDT) offers broad application prospects for enhancing anti-tumor effects. In this study, glycyrrhizic acid(GA), copper ions(Cu~(2+)), and norcantharidin(NCTD) were co-assembled to successfully prepare a natural small-molecule, carrier-free hydrogel(NCTD Gel) with excellent material properties. Under 808 nm laser irradiation, NCTD Gel responded to the tumor microenvironment(TME) and acted as an efficient Fenton reagent and photosensitizer, catalyzing the conversion of endogenous hydrogen peroxide(H_2O_2) within the tumor into oxygen(O_2), and hydroxyl radicals(·OH, type Ⅰ reactive oxygen species) and singlet oxygen(~1O_2, type Ⅱ reactive oxygen species), while depleting glutathione(GSH) to stabilize reactive oxygen species and alleviate tumor hypoxia. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that NCTD Gel exhibited significant CDT/PDT synergistic therapeutic effects. Further safety evaluation and metabolic testing confirmed its good biocompatibility and safety. This novel hydrogel is not only simple to prepare, safe, and cost-effective but also holds great potential for clinical transformation, providing insights and references for the research and development of metal ion-mediated hydrogel-based anti-tumor therapies.
Hydrogels/chemistry* ; Animals ; Photochemotherapy ; Humans ; Mice ; Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage* ; Photosensitizing Agents/chemistry* ; Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Female ; Copper/chemistry* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Male

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of 3D printing spinal external fixator combined with McKenzie therapy for patients with lumbar dics herniation (LDH). METHODS: Sixty patients with LDH between January 2022 and January 2023 were enrolled. Among them, 30 patients were given McKinsey training. According to different treatment methods, all patients were divided into McKenzie group and McKenzie + 3D printing group, 30 patients in each group. The McKenzie group provided McKenzie therapy. The McKenzie + 3D printing group were treated with 3D printing spinal external fixation brace on the basis of McKenzie therapy. Patients in both groups were between 25 and 60 years of age and had their first illness. In the McKenzie group, there were 19 males and 11 females, with an average age of (48.57±5.86) years old, and the disease duration was (7.03 ±2.39) months. The McKenzie + 3D printing group, there were 21 males and 9 females, with an average age of (48.80±5.92) years old, and the disease duration was(7.30±2.56) months. Pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), and lumbar spine function was assessed using the Oswestry disability index (ODI) and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. VAS, ODI and JOA scores were compared between two groups before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 12 months. The VAS for the McKenzie combined with 3D printing group before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment were(6.533±0.860), (5.133±1.008), (3.933±0.868), (2.900±0.759), (2.067±0.640), (1.433±0.504), respectively. In the McKenzie group, the corresponding scores were (6.467±0.860), (5.067±1.048), (4.600±0.968), (3.533±1.008), (2.567±0.728), (1.967±0.809), respectively. The ODI of the McKenzie group before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment were (41.033±6.810)%, (37.933±6.209)%, (35.467±6.962)%, (27.567±10.081)%, (20.800±7.531)%, (13.533±5.158)%, respectively. For the McKenzie combined with 3D printing group, the corresponding ODI were(38.033±5.605)%, (33.000±6.192)%, (28.767±7.045)%, (22.200±5.517)%, (17.700±4.836)%, (11.900±2.771)%, respectively. The JOA scores of the McKenzie combined with 3D printing group before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment were(8.900±2.074), (13.133±2.330), (15.700±3.583), (20.400±3.480), (22.267±3.084), (24.833±2.640), respectively. In the McKenzie group, the corresponding scores were(9.200±2.091), (12.267±2.406), (15.333±3.198), (18.467±2.240), (20.133±2.751), (22.467±2.849), respectively. Before the initiation of treatment, no statistically significant differences were observed in the VAS, ODI, and JOA scores between two groups (P>0.05). At 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment, the VAS in the McKenzie combined with 3D printing group was significantly lower than that in the McKenzie group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The comparison of ODI between two groups at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment revealed statistically significant differences (P<0.05). At 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment, the JOA score in the McKenzie combined with 3D printing group was significantly higher than that in the McKenzie-only group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The combination of 3D printed functional spinal external fixation brace with McKenzie therapy can significantly improve and maintain lumbar function in patients with LDH.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/surgery* ; External Fixators ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Adult ; Braces ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the application value of targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) in the etiological diagnosis of moderate to severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in neonates. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted, enrolling 81 term and late-preterm neonates with moderate to severe RDS admitted to Fujian Children's Hospital between December 2023 and December 2024. Patients were randomly assigned to the conventional microbiological test (CMT) group (n=42) or the tNGS group (n=39). For routine pathogen detection, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was obtained via bronchoscopy, and lower respiratory tract specimens were collected via the endotracheal tube; all specimens underwent culture, and some specimens additionally underwent polymerase chain reaction or antigen testing. In the tNGS group, tNGS was performed in addition to routine pathogen detection on the same specimen types. The detection rate of pathogens, the detection rate of co-infections, and the duration of antibiotic use were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The pathogen detection rate in the tNGS group (18/39, 46%) was significantly higher than that in the CMT group (8/42, 19%) (P=0.009). The co-infection detection rate was 13% (5/39) in the tNGS group, while no co-infections were identified in the CMT group (P=0.024). Regarding treatment, the duration of antibiotic use in the tNGS group was shorter than that in the CMT group [(12±4) days vs (15±5) days, P=0.003]. CONCLUSIONS tNGS significantly improves the pathogen detection rate in neonates with moderate to severe RDS and offers advantages in the rapid identification of co-infections and reduction of antibiotic treatment duration, suggesting it has clinical utility and potential for wider adoption.
Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Infant, Newborn ; Female ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/etiology* ; Male ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/methods*

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a naturally occurring, low-toxicity, and hydrophilic bile acid (BA) in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA. Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate, and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers. Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area. Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly downregulated metabolites in sera of RLPS patients compared with healthy subjects. The augmentation of UDCA concentration (≥25 μg/mL) demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells. [¹⁵N₂]-cystine and [¹³C₅]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione (GSH) synthesis. Mechanistically, UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage. Furthermore, UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers (Erastin, RSL3), the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) inhibitors (Nutlin 3a, RG7112), cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) inhibitor (Abemaciclib), and glutaminase inhibitor (CB839). Together, UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity, and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA. More importantly, in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments, UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a highly prevalent chronic metabolic disease with an increasing incidence worldwide, that poses a significant risk to public health. In many current clinical practices for diabetes management, conventional Western treatments, including oral or injectable hypoglycemic agents, have serious side effects. Given that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is characterized by a multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway approach, its combination with Western medicine could enhance efficacy and reduce adverse effects. Consequently, the use of TCM as a potential auxiliary or alternative treatment for the prevention and/or management of T2DM has emerged as a research hotspot. This article reviews existing reports on TCM in the treatment of T2DM and provides a detailed discussion of its applications. By integrating relevant clinical evidence, this review summarizes the clinical data on 23 TCM formulas and Chinese patent medicines, comprehensively describing their efficacy and potential pharmacological mechanisms in the treatment of T2DM. This includes an exploration of the impacts of TCM-based therapeutic interventions on T2DM-related microRNAs and their target genes. We hope this review not only offers new insights for future research directions but also enhances the understanding of the scientific value of TCM. Please cite this article as: Ni HX, Cao LH, Gong XX, Zang ZY, Chang H. Traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: Clinical evidence and pharmacological mechanisms. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):605-622.
Humans ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology*

Objective To investigate the effect of miR-373-3p in diabetic retinopathy(DR),as well as the underlying mechanisms.Methods Serum samples from 35 DR patients and 35 non-DR patients visiting Tianjin Fifth Central Hospital from February 2021 to February 2022 were collected,and expression levels of miR-373-3p and vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA)mRNA were detected using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).An in vitro DR model was constructed using high glucose(HG)-treated human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(HRMEC).HRMECs were divided into control group(5 mmol/L glucose and 25 mmol/L mannitol treatment),HG group(30 mmol/L glucose treatment),HG+miR-373-3p mimic-negative control(miR-con)group(30 mmol/L glucose treatment after transfection with miR-con),HG+miR-373-3p mimic group(30 mmol/L glucose treatment after transfection with miR-373-3p),HG+miR-373-3p+vector group(30 mmol/L glucose treatment after co-transfection with miR-373-3p and vector),and HG+miR-373-3p+vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA)group(30 mmol/L glucose treatment after co-transfection with miR-373-3p and VEGFA).The expression levels of miR-373-3p,VEGFA mRNA and protein were analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blotting.CCK-8,immunofluorescence,Transwell assay,angiogenesis assay,and Western blotting were used to evaluate HRMEC proliferation,migration and angiogenesis abilities.The relationship between miR-373-3p and VEGFA was determined by dual luciferase reporter assay.Results Compared with non-DR patients,DR patients exhibited significantly lower expression levels of miR-373-3p(P＜0.05)and higher expression levels of VEGFA mRNA(P＜0.05)in serum.Compared with control group,HG group showed decreased expression of miR-373-3p(P＜0.05),increased expressions of the mRNA and protein of VEGFA(P＜0.05),higher cell viability,proliferation rate,proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)and Cylin D1 protein,and numbers of migrating cells and angiogenesis ability(P＜0.05)in HRMECs.Compared with HG+miR-con group,HG+miR-373-3p group showed increased expression of miR-373-3p(P＜0.05),decreased expressions of VEGFA(P＜0.05),lower cell viability,proliferation rate,PCNA and Cylin D1 protein(P＜0.05),and lower numbers of migrating cells and angiogenesis ability(P＜0.05)in HRMECs.Compared with HG+miR-373-3p+vector group,HG+miR-373-3p+VEGFA group showed increased expression of VEGFA(P＜0.05),higher cell viability,proliferation rate,PCNA and Cylin D1 protein,and numbers of migrating cells and angiogenesis ability(P＜0.05)in HRMECs.The results of dual luciferase reporter assay showed decreased enzymatic activity of luciferase after cotransfection of miR-373-3p and VEGFA sequence(P＜0.05).Conclusion MiR-373-3p is lowly expressed in the serum of DR patients,and its potential mechanism may involve targeting VEGFA to inhibit HG-induced HRMEC dysfunction.

Objective To investigate the effect of farrerol on pyroptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)in lens epithelial cells through regulating JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.Methods Thirty-six neonatal SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,cataract group(20 μmol/kg sodium selenite),farrerol low dose,medium dose and high dose groups(10,20,40 mg/kg farrerol)and positive control group(benzyda lysine eye drops).Lens turbidity was observed by slit-lamp and scored,and pathological changes of lens were observed by HE staining.Human lens epithelial cells were cultured and divided into control group,model group,low concentration farrerol group(20 mg/L),high concentration farrerol group(40 mg/L),high concentration farrerol+R08191 group(40 mg/L+10 μmol/L),except the control group,other groups were induced by H2O2.The cell activity was detected by CCK-8 method;the concentrations of interleukin(IL-1 β)and IL-18 in cell culture medium were measured by ELISA;inverted phase contrast microscope was used to observe the cell scorch in each group;The expression of N-terminal fragment of GSDMD(GSDMD-N)protein was detected by immunofluorescent staining;the content of reactive ozygen species(ROS)was measured by flow cytometry;the expressions of latent heat protein(NLRP3),apoptosis-associate speck-like protein containing a CARD(ASC),Caspase-1,GSDMD-N,JAK2/STAT3 pathway proteins were detected by Western blotting.Results In cataract rats,the lens epithelial cells were disorderly and loosely arranged,the lens fibrosis/liquefaction,and the lens turbidity score increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the cataract group,the lens damage and the lens turbidity score decreased in the low,medium and farrerol high dose group and the positive control group(P＜0.05),and the effect of the farrerol high dose group was the best,which was basically consistent with the positive control group.The cells in the control group were closely connected and arranged in order,without scorched cells;in the model group,the cells were swollen and had typical charring characteristics of bubble like protrusion;Compared with the model group,the cell bubble protrusion in the low concentration farrerol group and the high concentration farrerol group was alleviated;Compared with the high concentration farrerol group,the cell bubble protrusion in the high concentration farrerol+R08191 group was aggravated.Compared with the control group,the cell survival rate in model group was decreased,the levels of IL-18 and IL-1 β in supernatant,the number of GSDMD-N positive cells,the level of ROS,the expression of NLPR3,ASC,Caspase-1,GSDMD-N protein,p-JAK2/JAK2,p-STAT3/STAT3 were increased(P＜0.05);Compared with the model group,the cell survival rate in the low concentration farrerol group and the high concentration farrerol group was increased,the levels of IL-18 and IL-1β in supernatant,the number of GSDMD-N positive cells,the level of ROS,the expression of NLPR3,ASC,Caspase-1,GSDMD-N protein,p-JAK2/JAK2,p-STAT3/STAT3 were decreased(P＜0.05);compared with the high concentration farrerol group,the cell survival rate in the high concentration farrerol+R08191 group was decreased,the levels of IL-18 and IL-1 β in supernatant,the number of GSDMD-N positive cells,the level of ROS,the expression of NLPR3,ASC,Caspase-1,GSDMD-N protein,p-JAK2/JAK2,p-STAT3/STAT3 signaling were increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Farrerol may inhibit H2O2-induced pyroptosis of lens epithelial cells by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)is a naturally occurring,low-toxicity,and hydrophilic bile acid(BA)in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA.Solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate,and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers.Retroperitoneal liposarcoma(RLPS)refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area.Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly down-regulated metabolites in sera of RIPS patients compared with healthy subjects.The augmentation of UDCA concentration(≥25 μg/mL)demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells.[15N2]-cystine and[13Cs]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione(GSH)synthesis.Mechanistically,UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis,leading to reactive oxygen species(ROS)accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage.Furthermore,UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers(Erastin,RSL3),the murine double minute 2(MDM2)inhibitors(Nutlin 3a,RG7112),cyclin dependent kinase 4(CDK4)inhibitor(Abemaciclib),and glutaminase inhibitor(CB839).Together,UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity,and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA.More importantly,in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments,UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.

Objective To investigate the improvement effect and mechanism of marmesin on cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease(AD)mice.Methods Fifty mice were randomly divided into five groups:blank group,model group,low-and high-dose marmesin groups and donepezil(positive drug)group,with 10 mice in each group.After 21 days of continuous administration,except for the blank group,the mice in other groups were given intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine to establish the AD model.Network pharmacology was used to construct the protein-protein interaction(PPI)network of common targets of marmesin in the treatment of AD,and gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis were performed to provide further research direction.The cognitive function of AD model mice was evaluated by Morris water maze,open field test and new object recognition test.Nissl staining was used to observe the damage of hippocampal neurons.The levels of acetylcholine(Ach),acetylcholine transferase(ChAT),acetylcholinesterase(AChE),reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA)and catalase(CAT)in hippocampus of mice were detected by kit.The protein expression levels of interleukin 6(IL-6),interleukin 1β(IL-1 β),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(NRF2),silent information regulator homologous protein 3(SIRT3),Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(KEAP1),quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1)and heme oxygenase 1(HO-1)in hippocampus were detected by Western Blot.Results Compared with the model group,the latency of Morris water maze test was significantly shortened in the high-dose marmesin group,the time of entering the target area in the open field new object test and the movement distance in the central area of the open field were prolonged,the number of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions was significantly increased,the levels of ChAT and Ach in the hippocampus were significantly increased,AChE level was significantly decreased,CAT level was significantly increased,ROS and MDA levels were significantly decreased,TNF-α expression level was decreased,SIRT3 and HO-1 expression levels were increased,and KE AP1 protein expression level was decreased,the differences being statistically significant(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 or P＜0.001).Conclusion Marmesin can effectively improve the learning and memory impairment of AD mice,and its mechanism may be related to the activation of NRF2/SIRT3 signaling pathway,thereby alleviating oxidative stress level and neuroinflammation,and repairing cholinergic neuron function.